Suction catheter assembly

ABSTRACT

A respiratory suction catheter assembly includes a manifold supporting a rotatable swivel member for engagement with an endotracheal tube, and a seal support body disposed on a boss of the manifold opposite the part supporting the swivel for supporting a catheter tube seal and a porous filter for filtering air flowing into and out of a flexible elongated sheath enclosing the catheter tube. The sheath includes opposed tapered ends secured to the seal support body and to a boss on a suction control valve housing. The valve housing supports a tapered plug closure member engageable with a resilient actuator and a slide-lock member. Certain components, including the sheath, the seal support body, the filter, the catheter tube seal and the catheter tube may be treated with an anti-microbial agent.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No.60/586,432 filed Jul. 7, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Several developments have taken place with regard to providing suctioncatheter assemblies for use in obtaining lower respiratory tractsecretions and in treating respiratory distress. However, continuedimprovements have been sought for suction catheter assemblies includingproviding a catheter assembly which will reduce the chance of causingrespiratory infections, to reasonably assure that the catheter suctioncontrol valve is not inadvertently left in an open position, preventingcross-contamination to the care giver using the catheter assembly,minimizing twisting and manipulation problems associated with using thecatheter assembly and related problems known to those skilled in theart. Still further, there has been a need to develop a respiratorysuctioning device or suction catheter assembly intended to be used forlonger periods of time than presently provided by the art, whileenabling the user to maintain an open airway of the patient, improveoxygenation, remove accumulated tracheal and/or bronchial secretions,stimulate the cough reflex, prevent pulmonary aspiration of fluids andprevent infection and atelectasis. It is to these ends that the presentinvention has been developed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved inline suction catheterassembly and, particularly, a catheter assembly intended for extendeduse, that is, for more than one week, for example.

In accordance with an important aspect of the invention certaincomponents of the improved catheter assembly are treated using anon-leaching antimicrobial agent embodied in selected parts of thecatheter assembly to reduce bacterial levels on the catheter tube andother components of the assembly. Such treated components may include(1) a flexible tapered sheath extending between a manifold and a controlvalve housing and enclosing the catheter tube, (2) the catheter tube,(3) a seal support body connected thereto, and (4) a catheter tube sealdisposed in the seal support body.

Other important aspects of the invention include the provision of asuction control valve which requires a positive or deliberate actuationeffort by the user to avoid accidental actuation, the control valve alsobeing provided with a lock mechanism to enable the valve to be locked toprevent inadvertent or unwanted opening thereof.

The improved catheter assembly of the invention is also provided with afilter disposed on the seal support body of the catheter assembly andwhich is operable to vent the interior of the flexible sheath extendingbetween the suction control valve and the seal support body, and toprovide a pathway to allow exhausting of gases which might otherwiseaccumulate within the sheath or pass through the sheath toward thecontrol valve or vice versa. The filter is treated with a suitableantimicrobial agent to minimize contamination to the user and theenvironment.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the aforementionedsheath is tapered at opposite ends to facilitate handling and eliminategathering or bunching of the sheath when the catheter is fully orsubstantially extended through the manifold.

Still further aspects of the present invention include the provision ofan easily removable cap for connection to a so called T-body manifold ora cross type manifold, and a security string or tether comprising amonofilament suitably retained within the sheath to minimize tanglingwhile serving the purpose of preventing the catheter from beingwithdrawn too far with respect to the manifold, for example. Yet furtheraspects of the invention include the provision of the seal support bodyto be rotatable with respect to the manifold and releasably connected tothe manifold by a removable lock ring. The catheter tube may be of aconfiguration cooperable with structure, including a seal member, forexample, to minimize or eliminate rotational twisting of the cathetertube with respect to the manifold whereby indicia disposed on thecatheter tube may be easily viewable at all times. The seal support bodyis also provided with an advantageously configured auxiliary fluidinjection port including a duckbill type check valve to facilitateinsertion of auxiliary catheter devices and/or for lavaging or forcleaning the catheter tube.

The aforementioned advantages together with other important features andaspects of the invention, will be further appreciated by those skilledin the art upon reading the detailed description which follows inconjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an improved suction catheter assembly ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal central section view of the catheter assembly;

FIG. 3 is a detail section view on a larger scale showing theconfiguration of a swivel member supported in an arm of the manifoldmember of the catheter assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a detail section view on a larger scale of the suction controlvalve for the catheter assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a section view showing the valve lock member and taken alongline 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a section view on a larger scale of the manifold member andthe seal support body;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a removable lock ring for securing theseal support body to the manifold member;

FIG. 8 is a transverse section view through the sheath of the catheterassembly taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6 and illustrating one manner ofsupporting the tether extending between the control valve housing andthe seal support body; and

FIG. 9 is a detail perspective view showing a modified catheter tubesupported in a way to minimize rotational twisting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the description which follows like parts are marked throughout thespecification and drawing with the same reference numerals,respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a suction catheter assembly 20in accordance with the invention. The catheter assembly 20 ischaracterized by a manifold member 22 operably connected to a sealsupport body 24 which is connected to an elongated, generally tubular,flexible, and preferably transparent sheath member 26. Sheath 26 ispreferably tapered at opposite ends, thus being provided with opposedaxially tapered end sections 27 and 28. Tapered section 27 is suitablyconnected to the seal support body 24 as will be further describedherein. The opposite tapered section 28 is suitably connected to asuction control valve assembly 30. Suction control valve assembly 30 ischaracterized by a valve housing 32 which includes an axially extendingtapered spigot part 34 adapted for connection to a vacuum conduit, notshown which, in turn, is adapted to be connected to a vacuum pump, alsonot shown. A sheath attachment sleeve 36 is connected to valve housing32 in a manner to be further described herein for retaining the sheath26 connected to the valve assembly 30.

Referring further to FIG. 2, the catheter assembly 20 includes anelongated flexible catheter tube 38, preferably formed of transparentpolyvinyl chloride. Catheter tube 38 is connected to valve housing 32,extends longitudinally through the sheath 26 and into and through sealsupport body 24 and may be disposed in a typical stored position, asshown, wherein the catheter tube is essentially fully retracted.Catheter tube 38 includes a distal end 40 which is open for suctioningand conducting fluids therethrough in a known manner. Catheter tube 38is also provided with one or more lateral ports 42, FIG. 2, formedtherein and spaced a short distance from distal end 40. As further shownin FIG. 2, catheter assembly 20 includes an elongated flexible tethermember 44 which extends between and is connected to the seal supportbody 24 and to the valve housing 32 in a manner to be described furtherherein. Tether 44 is disposed within the sheath 26 and is preferablycharacterized by a flexible monofilament “thread-like” member operableto limit the movement of the valve housing 32 away from the support body24 to avoid retracting the catheter tube 38 too far into or evendisconnected from the support body 24 in a direction to the left,viewing FIG. 2. Tether 44 also minimizes stretching of the relativelythin walled transparent, plastic sheath 26 beyond its elastic limit.

Referring further to FIG. 2, the manifold 22 is characterized by opposedtubular arms 23 and 25 which are coaxial and extend normal to an arm 46which is also tubular and is co-axial with the seal support body 24 andthe catheter tube 38. A tubular boss 48 is formed on manifold member 22and is generally aligned with or coaxial with the tubular arm 46.Manifold 22 may be connected to a ventilator apparatus, not shown, in aconventional manner by a ventilator conduit connected to either the arm23 or 25 or both, also in a known manner. If the passage of fluidsthrough manifold member 22 is not required to be within both arms 23 and25 a removable cap 50, as shown in FIG. 2, may be disposed on the arm 23or 25 as shown. In this regard the distal ends of arms 23 and 25 areprovided with shallow circumferential flanges 23 a and 25 a,respectively, which cooperate with a circumferential elasticallydeflectable flange 52 of cap 50 to allow snapping the cap or cover 50onto or off of arm 23 or 25.

Referring further to FIGS. 2 and 3, manifold tubular arm 46 is providedwith an enlarged diameter distal end 46 a and a stepped bore indicatedby reference numerals 54 a, 54 b and 54 c, FIG. 3. Stepped bore 54 a, 54b, 54 c is adapted to receive a tubular swivel member 56 which isoperable to be connected to an endotracheal tube 21, FIG. 3, by sleevingthe swivel member over a receiving end of such tube, as shown in FIG. 3.In this regard, a bore 56 a of swivel member 56 may be tapered axiallyto provide for a wedge or force fit over the end of the aforementionedendotracheal tube. Swivel member 56 is provided with a circumferentialradially outwardly extending flange 58 which is adapted to retain swivelmember 56 within stepped bore 54 a, 54 b, 54 c in cooperation with atubular retainer member 60, FIG. 3, which is received in portions 54 aand 54 b of the aforementioned stepped bore. Retainer 60 is providedwith spaced circumferential shoulders 60 a and 60 b engageable withcooperating shoulders formed on the enlarged diameter portion 46 a ofarm 46 to allow slight spacing between an end face 60 c of retainer 60and flange 58 of swivel member 56. Flange 58 is also engageable with ashoulder 46 c formed in arm 46 by and between stepped bore portions 54 band 54 c. Accordingly, an annular groove is formed between faces 60 cand 46 c to allow very limited axial movement of swivel member 56 in thestepped bore 54 a, 54 b, 54 c of arm 46.

Referring further to FIG. 3, swivel member 56 is also provided with acounterbore portion 57 extending within an annular groove 59 formed atone end of stepped bore portion 54 c, as illustrated, for receiving anannular end portion 56 d of swivel member 56. Swivel member 56 isdimensioned to be retained in arm 46 by retainer 60 and to be rotatablein stepped bore 54 a, 54 b and 54 c. The dimensional relationshipsbetween the arm 46 and the swivel member 56 are such that a tortuousleakage path is provided from interior chamber 22 a of manifold 22, whenthe swivel member 56 is connected to an endotracheal tube, tosubstantially eliminate leakage of fluids between chamber 22 and theatmosphere. Accordingly, a somewhat labyrinth type seal is providedbetween swivel member 56 and arm 46 that would require fluids to flow inthe clearance spaces between the swivel member 56, the groove 59, boreportions 54 c, the space between shoulders or end faces 46 c and 60 cand the flange 58. Accordingly, such a leakage path is substantiallytortuous and substantially eliminates flow of fluids between chamber 22a and atmosphere by way of the arm 46 and the swivel member 56.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the seal support body 24 comprises a generallyelongated somewhat tubular member having a first tubular portion 62coaxial with an enlarged diameter portion 64. Tubular portion 62includes a distal end 63 which may project slightly into chamber 22 a ofmanifold 22 when body 24 is assembled to the manifold member byregistration with the tubular boss 48. In this regard, tubular boss 48is provided with an axial bore 48 a for receiving seal support body 24and manifold 22 also includes a reduced diameter bore 22 b coaxial withstepped bore 54 a, 54 b, 54 c. Tubular portion 62 of body 24 includesclosely spaced circumferential flanges 66 and 68 dimensioned to bereceived in close fitting relationship in bore 48 a. Flange 66 isoperable to retain an o-ring type seal 70 engaged therewith and with endface 48 b of bore 48 to form a seal between body 24 and manifold 22.Seal support body 24 may be rotatable with respect to manifold 22 orsuitably retained in engagement with tubular boss 48 and nonrotatablysecured to the manifold 22. Seal support body 24 is retained connectedto manifold 22 by a removable lock ring 72 which is engaged with boss 48by registration with a circumferential groove 48 d formed in boss 48.

Referring briefly to FIG. 7 also, lock ring 72 is characterized by asegment of a circle delimited by opposed ends 72 a and 72 b, a flange 73and a segmented flange 74 as illustrated. Flange 73 is also providedwith spaced apart slots 75 formed therein, as shown, to increase theflexibility of lock ring 72. Accordingly, lock ring 72 may be snappedonto tubular boss 48 with segmented flange 74 in registration withgroove 48 d while flange 73 retains seal support body 24 forciblyengaged with boss 48 within bore 48 a and with at least some elasticdeflection of o ring seal 70. In this way seal support body 24 may beeasily releasably connected to manifold 22 and retained engaged with themanifold for rotation relative thereto, if desired.

Referring further to FIG. 6, seal support body 24 includes a branchconduit section 78 extending from the reduced diameter portion 62 at anacute angle of between about forty five degrees and sixty degrees andprojecting away from manifold 22, as illustrated. Conduit section 78forms a fluid injection port for catheter assembly 20 and is providedwith an enlarged diameter distal end portion 78 a and a stepped bore 78b in communication with central passage 24 e formed in body 24. Asuitable check valve, such as a so called duckbill type check valve 80,is disposed in stepped bore 78 b and retained therein by a snap ontubular fitting 82, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Fitting 82 includes acentral passage 83 formed therein and a tethered closure member 84connected to the fitting by a flexible tether 86. Closure 84 may besnapped over the distal end 82 a of fitting 82 to close offcommunication with passage 83. Fluids may be introduced through passage83 and stepped bore 78 b into passage 24 e of seal support body 24 forpurposes of cleaning catheter tube 38 and/or for introducing fluids intoand through passage or chamber 22 a for purposes known to those skilledin the art.

Referring still further to FIG. 6, enlarged diameter potion 64 of sealsupport body 24 includes a bore 64 a coaxial with bore or passage 24 eand operable to receive a circular disc seal member 88 having a centralbore 88 a formed therein and slightly smaller in diameter than thediameter of catheter tube 38. Seal member 88 is retained by a circularring-like retainer member 90 in axially stacked relationship with acylindrical tubular fluid filter member 92 also disposed in bore 64 a.Seal 88, spacer or backing member 90 and filter 92 are retained in bore64 a by a suitable retainer cap 94 which may be press fitted in oradhesively bonded to enlarged diameter portion 64 of support body 24.

As further shown in FIG. 6, enlarged diameter portion 64 of seal supportbody 24 includes a circumferential radially outwardly projecting rib 98formed thereon operable to receive a distal end portion 27 a of sheath26 as well as one end of tether 44 and retained tightly and sealinglyengaged with body 24 by a tubular sleeve retainer member 100. Retainer100 may be dimensioned to be a press fit over the rib 98 with the distalend 27 a of sheath 26 sleeved over the rib and possibly including an endportion of tether 44 also forcibly engaged by sleeve 100 and rib 98.Retainer 94 includes a central bore 94 a of greater diameter than thediameter of catheter tube 38 whereby air or other gases disposed withinthe interior chamber or space 26 f of sheath 26 may be vented throughfilter 92 to atmosphere by way of one or more suitable ports 24 g, oneshown in FIG. 6, formed in enlarged diameter part 64 and opening intoand through the bore wall forming the bore 64 a. In this way air whichis leaking past seal 88 will normally be vented through filter 92 and,as sheath 26 is collapsed during operation of the catheter assembly 20,air or other gases disposed within space or chamber 26 f may also bevented through the filter. Also, as sheath 26 is extended and air isdrawn back into the space 26 f contamination of that space issubstantially eliminated by providing filtration of air flowing throughannular porous filter 92. Filter 92 may be formed of a suitablesynthetic or resin foam material, such as polyethylene, and suitablytreated with an antimicrobial agent of a type to be described furtherherein.

Referring briefly to FIG. 8, one preferred configuration of sheath 26 iswhere the sheath is formed of two opposed flexible sheets 26 e formed ofa polymer, such as polyurethane, having a wall thickness in the range ofabout 0.001 inches to 0.002 inches and heat sealed to each other atlongitudinal seal points 26 p, 26 q and 26 r to form the enclosed space26 f and to also form a channel 26 s for disposition of the tether 44loosely therein. Alternatively, the heat seal 26 r may be eliminated andthe tether 44 allowed to reside loosely in the larger space 26 f.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, and primarily FIG. 4, the suctioncontrol valve assembly 30 is shown in further detail. Valve housing 32comprises a generally cylindrical body part 32 a with a transversegenerally cylindrical boss 32 b projecting in a direction opposite thetubular conduit or spigot 34 and substantially coaxial therewith. Bodypart 32 a includes a cylindrical outer wall 32 c, a substantiallycoaxial tubular wall part 32 d projecting in one direction and a reduceddiameter tubular wall part 32 e projecting in an opposite direction froma central transversely extending body part 32 f. A tapered bore 32 g isformed in body part 32 f and opens to spaces formed by the tubular wallparts 32 d and 32 e for receiving a tapered plug valve closure member110. Closure member 110 includes a tapered section 112 engageable withtapered bore 32 g. Bore 32 g intersects axially extending passageways 34a and 32 h which are preferably coaxial. Closure member 110 includes anupwardly extending shaft portion 114, viewing FIG. 4, having acircumferential guide and seal member 116 integrally formed thereon andengageable with a bore wall 32 j formed by tubular portion 32 e. Areduced diameter head part 118 is also integrally formed on closuremember 110. A circumferential groove 120 is interposed the head part 118and the shaft portion 114 of closure member 110.

Valve closure member 110 is biased to a valve closed position by a coilspring 122 retained in valve body 32 by a removable cap 124 which may besnap fitted into engagement with tubular wall portions 32 a and/or 32 dor adhesively bonded to these members, if desired. Valve housing 32includes a cylindrical bore 32 k formed substantially coaxial with andby wall 32 c for receiving a resilient somewhat cup shaped valveactuator member 126. Actuator member 126 has a cylindrical skirt portion126 a integrally joined to a generally hemispherical actuator buttonportion 126 b. Actuator 126 may be formed of a suitable resilientmaterial, such as polypropylene, and having an elastic memory biasingthe actuator to the position shown, but allowing the button portion 126b to be axially deflected to engage valve closure member 110 and movethe closure member downwardly, viewing FIG. 4, to open valve 30 to allowfluids to flow primarily from catheter tube 38 through passage 32 htapered bore 32 g and passage 34 a. An annular projection 126 c isintegrally formed on actuator 126 and snuggly engages head portion 118of closure member 110 to assist in biasing the closure member to a valveclosed position, thanks to the elastic memory of actuator 126. Ofcourse, coil spring 122 also urges the closure member 110 toward thevalve closed position and also to restore the actuator member 126 to theposition shown in FIG. 4.

Actuator member 126 includes opposed transverse slots 127 a and 127 b,see FIG. 5 also, for receiving an elongated flat plate shaped lockmember 130 therein, respectively. Lock member 130 includes a dependingtab 131 at one end thereof and a somewhat keyhole shaped slot 132 formedtherein, the enlarged diameter portion of which is designated by thenumeral 132 a and is of a slightly larger diameter than the diameter ofthe closure member head portion 118 so that the lock member may besleeved over the head portion and allowed to register with thecircumferential groove 120. In this way, when the lock member 130 ismoved from the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, to the left, viewingFIGS. 4 and 5, the keyhole slot part 132 b registers in groove 120. Slot132 b is of a width smaller than the diameter of head portion 118 and,thus, will not permit the valve closure member 110 to move to the valveopen position. Accordingly, the lock member 130 is provided to beconveniently slidable from the position shown in FIG. 4, allowing theclosure member 110 to open, to a position toward the left, viewing FIG.4, to prevent the valve closure member from moving to an open position.

Referring still further to FIG. 4, the valve body part or boss 32 bincludes opposed retainer teeth 136 a and 136 b formed thereon andengageable with a cylindrical sleeve member 137 which is adapted to besleeved over the boss 32 b and provided with opposed slots 137 a forregistration with the teeth 136 a and 136 b to lock the retaining sleeve137 in engagement with the valve housing 32. An enlarged bore or passagepart 32 m in boss 32 b receives an end of catheter tube 38, as shown,and whereby catheter tube 38 may be suitably secured in bore 32 m by anadhesive or chemical or thermal bonding with valve housing 32. Retainingsleeve 137 is adapted to be sleeved over the distal end 28 a of sheath26, as shown, and is provided with a suitable cylindrical opening 137 cfor receiving the sheath distal end whereby the sheath distal end may betrapped between an end face 32 n of boss 32 b and the sleeve 137. Tether44 may also be trapped in the same manner. Retaining sleeve 137 and boss32 b are thus configured to allow easy assembly of the valve body 32 tothe sheath 26 while snuggly retaining the sheath engaged with the valve30.

The valve 30 substantially eliminates leakage of contaminated fluids tothe exterior of the valve. A substantial seal is provided between theannular ridge or rim 116 and bore wall 32 j to prevent leakage fromtapered bore 32 g into the interior space delimited by the actuator 126.At the opposite end of bore 32 g, the cap 124 is provided with acylindrical flange 124 a operable to be in fluid tight engagement withwall 32 d to prevent leakage from space 32 s, FIG. 4.

The tapering of the sheath 26 at its opposite ends 27 and 28 isadvantageous to minimize unwanted gathering of the sheath when the valve30 is moved toward the seal support body 24 to extend the catheter tube38 through the bore of swivel member 56 and into the patient via anendotracheal tube. The antimicrobial treated filter 92 minimizes leakageof contaminated fluids from within the interior of the sheath 26 toatmosphere or vice versa. Hermetic sealing of the opposite ends of thesheath to the seal support body 24 and to the valve 30 is obtainedwithout the use of chemical adhesives. The seal support body 24advantageously allows rotation of the manifold 22 relative to theremainder of the catheter assembly 20. The catheter tube 38 may beprovided with suitable key means comprising one or more longitudinalprojections or, alternatively, longitudinal keyways or grooves, notshown, extending along the catheter tube and cooperating with means, notshown, on body 24, for example, to prevent rotation of the catheter tuberelative to the body 24. Accordingly, suitable indicia as describedhereinbelow, may be disposed on the catheter tube 38 and which may beviewed by a person, looking generally downward on the catheter assembly20, as it is being used, to determine the extension of the tube into apatient. The provision and position of inclination of the branch conduitor port 78 is adapted to facilitate lavaging a patient and cleaning ofthe catheter tube 38. The check valve 80 is adapted to facilitatelavaging and cleaning of the catheter tip and to preventcross-contamination.

Referring briefly to FIG. 9, one preferred embodiment of a catheter tubewhich is essentially non-rotatable with respect to the body 24 isillustrated and generally designated by the numeral 38 f. Catheter tube38 f has an internal passage or lumen 38 g opening to a distal end 40 aand has a cross-sectional shape which is non-circular, preferablyelliptical. Catheter tube 38 f projects through a modified seal 88 ddisposed in and non-rotatable with respect to enlarged diameter portion64 of seal support body 24. Seal 88 d includes an elliptical bore 88 edimensioned to be in tight fitting but slidable relationship withrespect to catheter tube 38 f. Catheter tube 38 f may be elliptical incross sectional shape throughout its entire length or only that portionof its length which is likely to be engaged with seal 88 d.

As also shown in FIG. 9, catheter tube 38 f is provided with suitableindicia 38 h on an upward facing side of the elliptical cross sectionalshape of the tube for use by an operator of the catheter tube assemblyto judge how far the catheter tube is being inserted into a patient'srespiratory tract. Tube 38 f may include suitable stop means, such as anannular projection or collar 38 k, integrally formed thereon, to limitwithdrawal of the tube by engagement with seal 88 d. Accordingly, amodified catheter assembly employing the tube 38 f and seal 88 d enjoysall of the benefits of the invention previously described whileproviding the added benefits of minimizing rotation or twisting of thecatheter tube during use. Still further, the projection 38 k preventsexcessive withdrawal of the tube which might result in disengagementfrom the tube seal and excessive stretching of the sheath and tethermembers. The configuration of catheter tubes 38 and 38 f and the supportstructure therefor, including the rotatable seal support body 24,provides a more user friendly and longer lived catheter assembly.

Certain parts of the catheter assembly 20 are advantageously treatedwith a permanent antimicrobial agent intended to reduce bioburden andthe chance of respiratory infections. For example, the seal support body24 may be treated with an antimicrobial agent by coating such agentthereon or impregnating such agent in the resin of the material formingthe body 24 when the body is formed.

The manifold 22, the body 24 and the components of valve 30, except forthe spring 122, are all preferably formed of injection molded acrylic,for example. The acrylic resin may be mixed with the antimicrobial agentprior to molding or otherwise fabricating the catheter parts. The sameprocedure may be utilized in fabricating the sheath 26 and the cathetertubes 38 and 38 f. One suitable antimicrobial agent is available fromBIOSAFE division of Aegis, Pittsburgh, Pa., under the productdesignation AEM 5700. One procedure for obtaining parts such as the body24, the seals 88 and 88 d, the filter 92, the sheath 26 and the cathetertubes 38 and 38 f is to coat the resin particles used to form theseparts with the above-mentioned antimicrobial agent prior to introducingthe particles into an extrusion process, which may or may not includeheating the particles, to form a flowable mass that may be extruded orused to injection mold certain ones of the parts. Alternatively,pre-formed parts may be coated with the anti-microbial agent. Thecatheter tubes 38 and 38 f may be fabricated to include theanti-microbial agent using either one of the processes described above.

One important aspect of the AEM 5700 anti-microbial agent that isadvantageous in connection with the present invention is thenon-leaching character of this agent. Once the antimicrobial agent hascome into contact with a surface, chemical changes occur which preventit from being subsequently removed. Therefore, the antimicrobialmaterial remains on the substrate to which it has become attached anddoes not enter the environment. Treatment of the surfaces of theaforementioned parts of the catheter assembly 20 may be carried out byapplying the antimicrobial agent in a water solution and upon removal ofthe water the non volatile silane ingredient of the agent forms covalentbonds with the surface of the material of which the aforementioned partsare formed.

A major advantage of the catheter assembly 20 is the length of time theassembly may be used in treating a patient. Ventilator associatedpneumonia (VAP) is a major health issue that must be dealt with forpatients which require ventilation greater than about 48 hours.Accordingly, by use of a device in accordance with the invention, it isindicated that some reduction in the onset of VAP may be expected.Moreover, the costs for treatment of VAP can be extremely expensive fora hospital facility, not to mention life-threatening for the patient. Byutilizing equipment, such as the catheter assembly 20, which may controlthe germination of bacteria in an advantageous manner these concerns maybe eliminated or substantially reduced.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described indetail, those skilled in the art will recognize that varioussubstitutions and modifications may be made without departing from thescope and spirit of the appended claims.

1-41. (canceled)
 42. A suction catheter assembly for connection to anendotracheal tube for treating a patient comprising: a suction controlvalve assembly; an elongated catheter tube connected at one end to saidsuction control valve assembly; a manifold including a first armincluding a fitting for connection to said endotracheal tube, a secondarm for connection to a ventilating device and a hollow bosssubstantially aligned with said first arm and including a bore receivingone end of a seal support body releasably connected to said manifold atsaid boss, said seal support body including a bore formed therein forreceiving a catheter tube seal, and passage means allowing passage ofsaid catheter tube therethrough and through said first arm for insertioninto said endotracheal tube; a catheter tube seal disposed in said borein said seal support body. an elongated flexible sheath interconnectingsaid suction control valve assembly and said seal support body andforming an enclosed space for extension of said catheter tubetherethrough, said sheath being flexible and collapsible for extendingsaid suction control valve assembly toward said manifold to insert saidcatheter tube through said endotracheal tube; a fluid filter supportedby said seal support body and allowing fluid flow communication betweensaid space of said sheath and ambient atmosphere; and at least one ofsaid seal support body, said catheter tube, said filter, said seal andsaid sheath is at least one of coated with and impregnated with ananti-microbial agent.
 43. The catheter assembly set forth in claim 42wherein: said seal support body is connected to said manifold at saidboss by a removable lock ring.
 44. The catheter assembly set forth inclaim 42 including: a retainer at least partially registered in saidbore of said seal support body for retaining said seal and said filtertherein.
 45. The catheter assembly set forth in claim 42 wherein: saidsheath includes a tapered end portion and a portion sleeved over asurface of said seal support body for retention thereon.
 46. Thecatheter assembly set forth in claim 45 wherein: said sheath includes atapered end portion at an opposite end for connection with a boss formedon a valve housing of said suction control valve assembly.
 47. Thecatheter assembly set forth in claim 42 wherein: said suction controlvalve assembly includes a valve housing including a spigot forconnection to a source of vacuum and a boss extending in a directionopposite said spigot, passage means in said boss and in said spigotforming a flow path for fluids passing into said valve housing from saidcatheter tube, a tapered bore intersecting said passage means and atapered plug closure member disposed in said tapered bore and engageablewith a bore wall of said tapered bore intersecting said passage means insaid spigot and said boss, respectively.
 48. The catheter assembly setforth in claim 47 including: an axial stem of said closure memberengageable with a resilient valve actuator member supported on saidvalve housing, said valve actuator member having an elastic memoryoperable to provide for deflection of said valve actuator member to movesaid valve closure member toward a valve open position and to exert abiasing force urging said valve closure member toward a valve closedposition.
 49. A suction catheter assembly for connection to anendotracheal tube for treating a patient comprising: a suction controlvalve assembly; an elongated catheter tube connected at one end to saidsuction control valve assembly; a manifold including a first armincluding a fitting for connection to said endotracheal tube and asecond arm for connection to a ventilating device; an elongated flexiblesheath forming an enclosed space between said manifold and said suctioncontrol valve assembly for extension of said catheter tube therethrough,said sheath being flexible and collapsible for extending said suctioncontrol valve assembly toward said manifold to insert said catheter tubethrough said endotracheal tube; and said suction control valve assemblyincludes a valve housing including a spigot for connection to a sourceof vacuum and a boss extending in a direction opposite said spigot,passage means in said boss and in said spigot forming a flow path forfluids passing into said valve housing from said catheter tube, a boreintersecting said passage means, a closure member disposed in said bore,a shaft part of said closure member and a slide lock member disposed onsaid valve housing and engageable with said shaft part for locking saidclosure member in a valve closed position.
 50. The catheter assembly setforth in claim 49 including: a resilient valve actuator member supportedon said valve housing, said valve actuator member having an elasticmemory operable to provide for deflection of said valve actuator memberto move said valve closure member toward a valve open position and toexert a biasing force urging said valve closure member toward a valveclosed position.
 51. The catheter assembly set forth in claim 50wherein: said valve actuator member comprises a skirt disposed in a boreformed in said valve housing and a hemispherical portion operable to beengaged by an operator of said catheter assembly for deflection to movesaid closure member toward an open position.
 52. A suction catheterassembly for connection to an endotracheal tube for treating a patientcomprising: a suction control valve assembly; an elongated catheter tubeconnected at one end to said suction control valve assembly; a manifoldincluding a first arm including a fitting for connection to saidendotracheal tube, a second arm for connection to a ventilating deviceand a hollow boss substantially aligned with said first arm andincluding a bore receiving one end of a seal support body releasablyconnected to said manifold at said boss by a removable lock ring, saidseal support body including passage means allowing passage of saidcatheter tube therethrough and through said first arm for insertion intosaid endotracheal tube; an elongated flexible sheath interconnectingsaid suction control valve assembly and said seal support body andforming an enclosed space for extension of said catheter tubetherethrough, said sheath being flexible and collapsible for extendingsaid suction control valve assembly toward said manifold to insert saidcatheter tube through said endotracheal tube; and a fluid filtersupported in said seal support body and allowing fluid flowcommunication between said space of said sheath and ambient atmosphere.53. The catheter assembly set forth in claim 52 including: a cathetertube seal disposed in said seal support body between said manifold andsaid filter.
 54. The catheter assembly set forth in claim 53 wherein: atleast one of said filter, said seal, said catheter tube and said sealsupport body is at least one of coated with and impregnated with anantimicrobial agent.